As Sarah raised her hand to declare the match over, Shirou loosened his grip on the wooden sword. Alica, flushed and fuming, turned toward her mother.
"Mom, that's not fair!" she protested, her voice sharp with indignation. "I didn't accept defeat yet—and you already called him the winner!"
Chris bounded over, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Shirou! That second strike—I thought you were done for! But you turned it around... That was incredible!"
Alica crossed her arms and scowled. "Brother Chris, you too? I hate you both!"
Shirou stepped closer to Alica, extending his hand with quiet sincerity. "It was a great match."
She narrowed her eyes. "What, now you're pitying me?"
"No," Shirou replied, his voice steady. "You're strong. My late mother always said—respect anyone who holds talent. Even if it's unpolished now, it will bloom. And when it does... it can outshine the rest."
Alica's cheeks turned crimson. She quickly sat down, burying her face in her knees.
Chris leaned in, teasing. "Alica, are you okay? Your face is all red."
Shirou tilted his head, confused. Sarah and Chris exchanged amused glances and chuckled.
"Hmm... Alica," Sarah said with a knowing smile, "why don't you give Shirou a tour of the town?"
"What? Why me?" Alica lifted her head, glaring.
"Well, yesterday you said you're his senior," Chris chimed in. "So you bear the responsibility, right?"
Shirou's gaze met Alica's. She sighed, then stood up. "Fine. Let's go."
As the two walked off, Sarah and Chris watched them disappear down the path.
"Looks like Alica's found a new rival who can push her," Chris said.
Sarah smiled. "Rivals help us grow. Just like you and Cherry."
They turned and began walking toward the orphanage.
The streets were quiet as Alica led Shirou through winding paths, past the riverside and into the edge of the forest. The air was crisp, the leaves whispering secrets overhead. After a while, she stopped and turned to him.
"So... where did you learn to fight like that?" she asked.
Shirou blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Your style—it's not martial arts. It's... different."
"I don't know," he said. "I never learned how to fight. My mother taught me how to survive. I wanted to learn to protect her, but she said fighting was pointless if you died. So instead... she left me alone. In forests. Deserts. Even on a deserted island."
Alica's eyes widened. "Wait... she abandoned you?"
Shirou shook his head. "No. If she wanted to abandon me, she wouldn't have adopted me."
"Adopted?" Alica echoed. "So she wasn't your birth mother?"
"I don't remember my real mother. When I woke up, I was already in town. She's the only mother I've ever known."
His voice was quiet, but resolute. Alica looked at him, her expression softening.
"Let's head back. Everyone's probably waiting."
The orphanage buzzed with life—laughter, chatter, complaints, and joy all mingling in the air.
"Mom! Sister Cherry! We're back!" Alica called.
Children turned and rushed toward them, surrounding Shirou like a tidal wave.
"Hey! Are you the Shirou who beat Alica in a duel?" a boy asked.
"What?! Who told you that?" Alica snapped.
"Chris did!" the boy said, pointing.
Alica grabbed a wooden sword and chased Chris, who bolted out the door laughing.
Cherry clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone! Give Shirou some space—he looks overwhelmed."
But the kids ignored her. Cherry's voice rose.
"Have you all forgotten your manners? Do I need to remind you?"
The children froze. "The demon Cherry is on a rampage!" they whispered.
Cherry turned, her expression melting into sweetness as she winked at Shirou and gently tapped her head. Shirou blinked, unsure how to react.
Then she lunged forward and hugged him tightly. "Don't hate your big sister! Cherry loves you, my little Rabi—uh, Shirou!"
"Don't hug me, you idiot!" Shirou shouted, flustered.
Later, Shirou sat in the garden, gazing at the clouds.
"Hey, what are you doing out here alone?" Alica asked.
"Just thinking about home."
"Forget that. Come meet the others—they want to know you."
Four figures emerged.
"This guy with the helmet is Dake. Bit of an idiot, but... um, I forgot his talent."
"Hey!" Dake protested.
"This girl is Sabrina. She's shy, sweet, and kind—so be nice."
"Alica, stop embarrassing me!" Sabrina said, tugging her sleeve.
"Jack's next. He's stubborn, overconfident, and scared of flies."
"Why is my intro so awful?" Jack groaned.
"And finally, Venessa—"
Venessa grabbed Shirou's hand, eyes sparkling. "You beat Alica! Tell me her weakness! I must know!"
Alica shoved her back. "She's my self-proclaimed rival."
Shirou nodded, bewildered.
Jack stepped forward. "You must be in love with Alica, right?"
"What?" Shirou blinked.
"I know how this goes—boy defeats girl, girl falls in love. Classic plot!"
"Idiot!" Alica shouted, cheeks blazing.
The others whispered, "So it's true..."
"I challenge you!" Jack declared. "If I win, Alica will love me!"
"You don't have to accept!" Alica said quickly.
"I accept," Shirou replied.
Alica dragged him aside. "Are you stupid? Why accept?"
"My mother said—respect others' feelings. It takes courage to speak your heart."
"Maybe she meant something else..." Alica muttered.
Minutes later, Jack and Shirou faced off with wooden swords. Alica acted as referee.
The match was brief. Shirou won effortlessly.
"That was amazing!" Sabrina said.
"You beat our second-best!" Dake added.
"So it's true—you beat Alica!" Venessa gasped.
Jack stood, embarrassed. "I accept defeat. You can have Alica."
"Hm... I don't want her. You can keep her," Shirou said.
"Really?" Jack beamed. "Alic—"
Thwack! Alica slammed her sword on his head and stormed off.
As the sun dipped low, Shirou began opening up. He learned Dake dreamed of becoming a soldier. Sabrina wanted to start a library. Venessa hoped to marry a brave warrior. And Jack...
"Alicaaaa!" Jack sobbed.
Maybe Shirou already knew.
"I want to ask something," Shirou said seriously.
"What is it?"
"After Sarah, who's the strongest here? Is it Alica?"
They laughed. "Alica's the strongest kid in town. But if we rank everyone—Sarah, Chris, Cherry, then Alica."
"Hm... I see."
As the stars began to twinkle, Shirou smiled. He had found something more than victory—he had found friendship.